FUNGAL NAILS -Onychomycosis | Common Foot Problem

Fungal nails have a yellow discoloration. They become thickened and can appear ‘worm eaten and brittle’. A fungal infection of the nail starts in a small section of one nail and can spread slowly to several or all nails.

You can contract fungal nails from dirt(gardening without shoes), sharing nail clippers, files or nail polish with other people (nail salons that dont sterilize instruments correctly).

Treatment

The podiatrist will assess the affected nail, identify the stage and extent to which your nail has been infected and recommend the best course of treatment.

Fungal nails are rarely painful, if you are experiencing pain it is usually caused by the thickness of the nail causing preasure to the nail bed, this can be treated by your podiatrist by thinning the nail down and relieving pressure.

General treatments to reduce nail thickness and application of tea tree oil will keep the nail under control but will not cure the infection.

Some ways to get rid of the fungus are:

Loceryl ointment- once a week application and can be purchased from the chemist.

Lamisil -oral tablets-clippings are taken of the nail and sent for pathology testing, if positive you may be eligible to receive lamisil tablets from your GP.

Any questions please feel free to ask the podiatrist, who will be happy to help you.